It was a Dickens of an Evening at the Historic Dock Street Theatre--Bravo Charleston Stage

It was a Dickens of an evening in the old French Quarter at Charleston's almost three hundred year old theatre venue. Standing on Church Street, positioned in front of the lighted, tall trees across the way, we had a magical view of the theatre doors and windows brightly lit with the colors of the season. The entranceway and box office lobby was busy with paying patrons filled with anticipation of what was yet to come. Their expectations would not be scrooged.

The original Dock Street Theatre opened in 1736. It was the first building designed for theatrical use in the Americas. Quite a privileged distinction that set it apart from all other theatres. One month after the it opened, Queen Street replaced Dock Street. However, the theatre retained its original name. The original theatre was probably destroyed by the Great Fire of 1740, along with many of the buildings in Charleston's French Quarter.

In 1809, it was replaced by Planter's Hotel, where wealthy planters stayed during Charleston's horse-racing season. In 1835, the wrought iron balcony and sandstone columns of the Church Street facade were added. After the Civil War, the Planter's Hotel fell into disrepair. It became a derelict building and nothing more than a shell slated for demolition.

In 1935, it went through a restoration. The new theatre was constructed within the shell of the Planter's Hotel. The new stage house and auditorium were modeled after eighteenth-century London playhouses. The local carpenters, who were put to work as a part of this Depression-era relief effort, utilized locally grown and milled native black cypress for the beautiful warm, wooden interior and used mantels salvaged from the Radcliffe-King Mansion. The theatre's second grand opening took place on November 26, 1937.

In 2007, a full-scale renovation brought the historic theater into the 21st century with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, modern heating and air conditioning, and new restrooms and seating. In addition, the theatre was made seismically secure and fully handicapped accessible. Extensive soundproofing was added to ensure that outside noises no longer intruded on performances inside. It reopened in March 2010, ready to dazzle and gratify its patrons with a taste of Broadway.

Dock Street Theatre became the home for Charleston Stage, its resident performing arts group, in 1978. Ironically, their first show in 1978 was a production of A Christmas Carol. However, this year's production is brand new, with all new sets, costumes, and updates to Wile's original script adaptation. The stunning scenery features a dozen hand-painted drops and sets created by Guest Scenic Designer Susan Crabtree, faculty member of the North Carolina School of the Arts and one of America’s premier scenic painters. Over 80 original, colorful costumes have been built by Charleston Stage's professional costume staff and designed by Guest Costume Designer Janine McCabe, chair of the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance. While the score features many familiar traditional carols, Charleston Stage's Resident Music Director, Sam Henderson, has created new and bright arrangements and orchestrations for each number.

Guest Actor Gabriel Wright, a former Resident Actor with Charleston Stage, now appearing on behalf of the Actor's Equity Association, played the squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous, old sinner Ebenezer Scrooge, who was solitary as an oyster. Gabriel walked the walk and talked the talk of the old, cold-hearted miser with masterful poise. He was surrounded by an energetic and up-to-the-task cast consisting of Cody Elsensohn as Bob Cratchit, Raymond Cronley as Fred, Brietta Goodman as The Ghost of Christmas Present, K'nique Eichelberger as Young Ebenezer and The Ghost of Christmas Future, Louie Chaplin Moss as Tiny Tim, and Jenna Barricklo as Belle.

Other talents included Acting Ensemble Member Colin Waters as The Ghost of Christmas Past, and former Resident Actor Patrick Brett as Jacob Marley. Over twenty additional actors from the Resident Acting Company, Charleston Stage Performance Troupe, and local community rounded out the cast as the Ensemble.

There is nothing humbug about Charleston Stage's heartwarming adaptation of  Charles Dickens timeless story of redemption and transformation. You will be thoroughly entertained by its colorful and artistically presented production. Without a doubt, the cast successfully connected with their appreciative audience. I will give you this one parting valuable hint, pay close attention to the initial arrival of each ghost.

135 Church St, Charleston, SC

Nov. 30 - Dec. 21, 2022

Purchase tickets.

Sassy "Chicago" At The James F. Dean Theatre In Summerville Razzle Dazzles

Chicago blew into Summerville this week with obscenely riotous results-A packed James F. Dean Theatre and a standing ovation once the two leading ladies of the show, Kelly McDavid(Velma Kelly) and Lindsay Marie(Roxie Hart), made their final appearance. After seeing Chicago advertisements plastered on billboards throughout the area, I went into this with high expectations. I wasn't disappointed.

Many may not know that the two main characters of this musical were based on the true life 1924 trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. A reporter by the name of Maurine Dallas Watkins was assigned to cover these trials for the Chicago Tribune. Her resulting sensational columns documenting these trials proved so popular she decided to write a play based on them. "Roxie Hart" was patterned after Beula Annan and "Velma Kelly" after Belva Gaertner. Lawyers William Scott Stewart and W. W. O'Brien were models for the character "Billy Flynn". Both ladies were acquitted of their murders just weeks apart and Chicago was born.

The Flowertown Players presentation of this highly acclaimed and sizzling Broadway hit with its Academy award-winning film version was nothing less than spectacular for Summerville's intimate theater venue. I was thoroughly captivated by Kelly McDavid's rendition of Velma. Her body language was convincingly brash and facial expressions definitively sassy, exactly what you would expect from a cabaret singer accused of murder. Her portrayal was unshakably confident and her dance routines were executed with audacious swag.

On the other hand, Lindsey Marie exuded the appearance of innocence, a dead-ringer for Roxie, and that's no play on words. Lindsey's scene with Brendan Kelly as Billy Flynn portraying Roxie's press conference turned into a ventriloquist act with Billy dictating a new version of the truth to the press while Roxie mouthed the words was executed impeccably and one of the more engaging highlights of the play, in my humble opinion.

John Black played timid Amos Hart, Roxie's husband, a.k.a. 'Mister Cellophane should have been my name. Mister cellophane cause you can look right through me, walk right by me, and never know I'm there'. The scene where John sang this song was another highlight of the night as was Kristen May's(Mama Morton) execution of "When You're Good to Mama".

From "All That Jazz" to the "Finale" the whole cast put on a highly energized performance with know let up. The punch lines were delivered successfully. The stage was simple, but appropriate. The live orchestra with trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and percussion added to the realism and jazziness. Victoria Malone and Linda Wills accompaniment on the keyboard was superb(It's not easy to play simultaneously on the same keyboard and stay in sync.) Congratulations to JC Conway and the production team for a successful, razzle dazzle evening.

Thank you to the Flowertown Players for my front row seats, I was up close and personal-close enough to smell the perfume and see the sweat. Go see it-purchase tickets. "What can I say, it's Chicago."

Charleston's Theaters Offer High Class Entertainment And Opportunity For The Talented

Dock Street Theater stage

I recently did something I don't normally do. I watched the SAG Awards. I don't know what came over me. The beginning of the program captured my attention and from there I just lingered. At the opening credits, different actors and actresses who were nominated for awards recounted how they got into acting.

Listening to the nominees speak of their first experience with acting took me back many years ago, back to my first part on a stage in a live performance. I was eleven years old. It was a school play. I played the lead role as Robinson Crusoe in an adaptation of the novel written by Daniel DeFoe called "Robinson Crusoe." I also played a minor role as a pirate in the play. In my role as a pirate I wore the typical pirate eye patch. There was this one scene where I got the two characters crossed. I stepped out onto the stage as Crusoe wearing the eye patch. I forgot to remove it after the conclusion of a previous scene as the pirate. I didn't realize my wardrobe mistake until I looked out at the audience, and there was no turning back. Somewhat embarrassed, mostly self inflicted, I muddled through the scene. My error went unnoticed, not a word was said about it. The play was a success.

Dock Street Theater mezzanine seating

If you enjoy acting and would like to participate in a live stage performance, Charleston theaters offer opportunities for individuals to audition for parts in upcoming plays. I have personally given consideration to auditioning. I think it would be an enjoyable experience. I am just waiting for a good pirate role to come available. On a recent outing into Charleston, I walked through two of its theaters, talked to some of the staff, and took pictures. It was richly informative and no, I didn't see or hear any ghosts.

Charleston Stage is the resident acting company performing at the Dock Street Theater. The Dock Street Theater was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. The original building burned in the Great Fire of 1740, which destroyed many of the buildings in Charleston's French Quarter. In 1809 the Planters Hotel was built at the location. The Hotel ultimately fell into disrepair and slated for demolition. It was saved and efforts began to turn it into a theater once again. It reopened in 1937 as the Dock Street Theater. In 2007, it closed again and after a three year 19 million dollar renovation, the theater opened its doors again in 2010.

Dock Street Theater bar

The Dock Street, located at 135 Church Street, is a beautiful proscenium space theater with seating for 430 people--proscenium space refers to the front stage between the curtain and orchestra. The ornate wood interior gives it a warm, rich feeling. It has mezzanine seating with an excellent view of the stage and is outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The theater hires actors from the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions for their Resident Acting Intern Program, which is held in February of every year. If interested contact Charleston Stage auditions. You can also volunteer to work backstage or on costumes and scenery. If interested contact Charleston Stage volunteer opportunities.

Footlight Theater stage

The Footlight Players are associated with the Footlight Theater located at 20 Queen Street. The building was originally an old cotton warehouse built in 1850. At first, it was only used for storage and scenery construction. After a dramatic renovation in 1986, the Footlight Players moved into the building for good. During my walk through, I noticed all the seats had a small metal plate mounted on the backs with names of people engraved on it, some stating "In memory of" and others "In honor of." They are individuals who made donations to the theater, some still living, some not. When those still living buy tickets for plays they can request their permanently reserved seat, if they choose to do so.

Painting on a wall in Footlight Theater

The Footlight Players are very similar to the Flowertown Players when it comes to auditions. It is open to the public. They are presently taking auditions for "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)" scheduled for opening March 29 and will run to April 7. March 4 and 5 auditions will be held for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Six men and seven woman will be needed to fill the roles. March 18 and 19 auditions will be held for "Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)." Two men and two woman will be needed for that play.

The Flowertown Players, James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville, held open auditions on January 10th and 11th for the 1966 stage play written by Frederick Knott called "Wait Until Dark", which will be presented beginning March 2nd. The film adaptation released in 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn thrilled audiences and was ranked tenth on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments for its climactic scene. Perhaps, you remember the climactic scene when the theater dimmed its lights, then turned them off after each light on-screen was shattered one by one by Susy Hendrix(Audrey Hepburn), resulting in the theater being plunged into complete darkness. Seconds ticked off in that heightened state of suspense. Then surprisingly, the killer leaped from the shadows. My friends literally jumped out of their seats. It will be interesting to see how the Flowertown Players will duplicate that infamous scary scene.

So, join in the fun of acting, if you dare. If not, buy a ticket and enjoy the show. You can not beat the feel of a live performance. Maybe, you will see some crazy guy up on the stage wearing an eye patch, wielding a sword, and inviting you to "Drink up me hearties. Drink up."